The Second Chance

Many people believe that opportunity knocks only once so you have to “grab the bull by the horns.” There is a time in ones life where he or she comes to a dead end in the road and one can only go left or right. Both directions will change his or her life forever. So the question arises, which way do I go? For me, I took the chance of going one-way and hoping I would get another chance at the other direction.

As a senior in high school trying to figure out what I am going to do with my life, I was part of the football and bowling teams. I had a love for the game of football but a passion to bowl. I had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to try out for the Saginaw Valley State University Bowling Team. This was a big deal to me because I have thought about making bowling my profession. This decision would affect my future in many ways. I was pretty good at football but very good at bowling. After many long nights of lying awake thinking about my life and what direction I should take, I decided to stick with football and pray for a second chance. (To try out.)

One morning, I was at the high school lifting weights with the team. This day was like no other day. It was the day where we tested out for our max weights. As I began a lift, I had a slight pain in my right shoulder, but I continued on. It was not three reps later; I heard a “POP” and then felt the pain. I had no strength in my right shoulder and could not move it an inch. Right then and there, I seconded guessed my self about the decision to finish my senior season of football. I kept thinking that my bowling career was over and how I would never pick up a bowling ball again. The doctor said it was a torn right trapezius muscle. He told me that I would be out for at least four weeks, and if I were not better by then, surgery would be necessary. I couldn’t believe my ears. As I sat in the doctors’ room I thought to my self, “I will have to miss football season and bowling season.” Three weeks of hard rehabilitation and many painkillers later, I got a release from the doctor to return to playing football. When I heard the news, I had tears of happiness.

Football season ended, bowling season started and I got a call from the Saginaw Valley State University Bowling Coach about coming to Saginaw and trying out for the team. I had never felt so proud in my life. As I lay in bed that same night, I again had tears of joy, knowing that I chose the right direction and everything was going to be ok. I believe that opportunity does indeed knock more than once.

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This week’s essay

As half of the magic act Penn and Teller, Penn Jillette enjoys challenging his audiences with the unconventional. In stating his personal credo, Jillette finds liberation in believing there is no God. Click here to read his essay.